Betty Jo was born on April 24, 1933 in Elizabethton, Tennessee, the daughter of Mary Etta Atwood and John Howard "Buster" Davis. She was raised in Elizabethton and lived in Morocco, Indiana prior to moving to Des Moines in 1982. On August 3, 1985, Betty was united in marriage to Bob Whitten.

Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren and shopping.

Betty is survived by her husband Bob; her four children, Connie Altman of Pleasant Hill, Donald Bridgeman (Shelli) of Ankeny, Mary Davis and Mark Webster (Debbie) all of Urbandale; two step daughters, Mandy Whitten of Grimes and Rachel Perry (Tom) of Lathrop, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Melissa Dove-Helm (Tom) and Laura Dove, Bree Bridgeman, Tara Bridgeman and Eric Larson, Brett Waggoner and Trey and Ryan Webster; five great grandchildren, Maddie and Max Helm, Jayden Bridgeman and Emma and Skyla Waggoner; her four brothers, Ed White (Marie) of Rensselaer, IN, Ben Geesa (Penny) of Fair Oaks, IN, Roy Geesa (Susan) of New Palestine, IN and Jim Geesa of Morocco, IN; 12 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughter, Karen Ann Bridgeman, a step son, Jay Whitten and a sister, Loretta Edwards.

Visitation begins 3pm Tuesday at Westover Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7pm.

Betty's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Mercy Hospice in Johnston for their sincere and loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorials be sent to Mercy Hospice in Johnston.